The US is ‘applying double standards’ in the case of Bradley Manning, acting in its own interests 'without paying attention to the observance of human rights' while slamming others for violating freedoms, said the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights.

The US blasts many countries around the world for violating
freedom of speech, however when the interests of US authorities
are affected, they “act toughly, resolutely, often without
paying attention to the observance of human rights,” said HR
commissioner Konstantin Dolgov, according to Russian news
agencies.

"This double standard that we see in the US authorities’
assessment of approaches to this situation [around Manning]
raises questions. If you demand full observance of freedom of
speech from others, in principle, you should apply this position
to yourself. If the applied standard is different, this cannot
help but cause complaints on the part of both other governments
and human rights institutions,” he continued.

Dolgov doubts that the US court will take into account
international human rights while sentencing WikiLeaks informant
Bradley Manning. On Tuesday, the army private was found ‘not
guilty’ of aiding the enemy. However, he was found guilty of
the 20 remaining charges filed against him, including espionage,
computer fraud and theft charges. The army private, who leaked
classified information including Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield
reports and State Department diplomatic cables to the
whistleblowing site, still faces the possibility of up to 136
years behind bars. Sentencing commences on Wednesday, although it
could take a month to finalize the penalty.

"I think that [Manning’s] sentence will not likely take into
account the view the international human rights
organizations,” said Dolgov.

The Human rights commissioner stressed that the information
leaked by Manning confirmed that the US military and law
enforcement agencies often acted contrary to international law
and standards.

“I would like to refer to the statement of Amnesty
International where it was mentioned that there were no adequate
measures taken by the US authorities regarding the evidence of
torture by American soldiers, the information which was also
leaked by Manning,” Dolgov noted.

Russia has been closely following the situation with the army
private, acknowledged the human rights commissioner. Doglov added
that everybody without exception needs to perform their
obligations, but “where there are no obligations - they should
not.”

When asked whether Manning’s sentence will influence the position
of the Russian Federation on the case of former CIA officer
Edward Snowden, Dolgov said that he will have to see the final
sentence first.

Edward Snowden has been holed up in Moscow’s international zone
for over a month as his documents were revoked by the US
government. Washington has asked Moscow to ‘return’
Snowden, claiming the US has 'sent many people back to
Russia.’

"When we are told, 'You have to return [Snowden], because we
have returned [people]', there is still a big difference between
extradition and deportation” the diplomat reiterated. Russia
is faced with attempts to ascribe “non-existent
obligations" to it, Dolgov noted.